“One of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.”

Fellow Star Trek actor John Cho, who plays Sulu in the series, tweeted, “I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist – curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I’m in ruins.”

Found dead by friendsAn only child, he was born to professional figure skaters in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), who moved to the US when he was still a baby.

Los Angeles police officer Jenny Hosier said Yelchin had just got out of the vehicle when it rolled back.He had been on his way to meet friends for a rehearsal, she added.

When he did not arrive, the group came to his home and found him dead, the police spokeswoman said.The actor’s publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed the actor’s death and said his family had requested privacy.